ekta kapoor,films

Add as a preferred source on Google

By: Upala KBR, Mid-Day

Sanjay Gupta and Ekta Kapoor have tied up to produce films together. Their films will be announced as White Feather Films, in association with Balaji.

"I have always liked the kind of films Sanjay makes, as those are the kind of films I want to make," says Kapoor. "I love his 'Zinda' and 'Kaante'. So last month, I called him and we met. We found we got along well and can work well together."

Pooling resources

What was the purpose of the tie-up? Replies Ekta, "It's time we put our strengths on the table and safeguarded each other by covering our weaknesses.

Sanjay brings to the table his conceptualisation, and caters to a certain audience and sensibility. I will be involved with marketing and putting together the projects and finances. He's the kind of man I would like to work with."

Sanju's approval

Says Sanjay Dutt, the chairman of White Feather Films, "For the growth of our company, it is imperative that we have mergers with like-minded companies that share the same vision and ambitions as us." What does he think of Ekta and Sanjay Gupta coming together?

"Both Ekta and Gups (as Gupta is affectionately called) are extraordinary visionaries and have a burning desire to create cinema that is contemporary and unconventional. I wholeheartedly endorse this new relationship."

Adds Gupta, "It's a strategic alliance to produce, distribute and market feature films. We signed the MoU last Friday. People might think Ekta and I are like chalk and cheese, but we will be doing films in line with what White Feather has done in the past. I was glad when we met her as we found we shared a complete understanding of the cinema we both believe in. Jeetuji (Ekta's dad) and Ramesh Sippy will guide and support us at every step.

White Feathers is on a major expansion trip as Sanju and I have worked out a game plan for the company. One of the decisions is to have mergers with companies who share our vision, ideology and sensibilities.

The films will be a mixed bag of anything that is non-formula - from non-fiction, to classic opera, to thrillers and feel-good emotional dramas. White Feather has already shortlisted 10 films, which should be launched soon."

How many films will Balaji and White Feathers produce together? "The first will be Shootout At Lokhandwala, directed by Apoorva Lakhia. We will make a formal announcement soon," Gupta says. The film stars Arjun Rampal, Tusshar Kapoor, Viveik Oberoi and others.